20 Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech
Table of Contents
Direct And Indirect Speech Examples
While using English, we use direct and indirect speeches quite often. If a sentence is expressed exactly as it came out of the mouth of the person who said it, it becomes a direct speech. However Indirect Speech (also called reported speech) refers to transmitting a sentence that someone has said. It is often used in daily language.
For example,
- Susan told me she ate pizza yesterday. (Indirect Speech)
Susan said, “I ate pizza yesterday.”. (Direct Speech)
- Mathilda told me she had to go out. (Indirect Speech)
Mathilda said: “I have to go out.”. (Direct Speech)
- Julie asked if the train had left when she arrived at the ticket office. (Indirect Speech)
Julie asked: “Did the train leave?” (Direct Speech)
20 Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech
| 1 | Direct | She says, “I am ill.” |
| Indirect | She says that she is ill. | |
| 2 | Direct | I will study”, Mary said. |
| Indirect | I will study”, said Mary. | |
| 3 | Direct | She said; “The exam is difficult. |
| Indirect | She said the test was difficult. | |
| 4 | Direct | I bought a car. |
| Indirect | He said he bought a car. | |
| 5 | Direct | My parents are very well. |
| Indirect | Alex said that his parents were very well. | |
| 6 | Direct | Please don’t be late. |
| Indirect | He asked their not to be late. | |
| 7 | Direct | I’m living in Texas now. |
| Indirect | Her father said that he was living in London now. | |
| 8 | Direct | I am living in Paris. |
| Indirect | He said that he was living in Paris. | |
| 9 | Direct | My mother isn’t very well. |
| Indirect | She said that her mother wasn’t very well. | |
| 10 | Direct | I need help with my work. |
| Indirect | George said “I need help with my homework.” |
| 11 | Direct | I was walking along the Street. |
| Indirect | He said he had been walking along the Street. | |
| 12 | Direct | I haven’t seen George recently. |
| Indirect | She said that she hadn’t seen George recently. | |
| 13 | Direct | I would help, but… |
| Indirect | He said he would help but… | |
| 14 | Direct | I’m waiting for Michael, she said. |
| Indirect | She said (that) she was waiting for Michael”. | |
| 15 | Direct | They said, “They have taken exercise.” |
| Indirect | They said that they had taken exercise. | |
| 16 | Direct | I can speak perfect Spanish. |
| Indirect | He said he could speak perfect Spanish. | |
| 17 | Direct | I haven’t seen Mary. |
| Indirect | He said he hadn’t seen Mary. | |
| 18 | Direct | What is your name? she asked me. |
| Indirect | She asked me what my name was. | |
| 19 | Direct | I was sleeping when Mary called. |
| Indirect | He said that he had been sleeping when Mary called. | |
| 20 | Direct | Please help me! |
| Indirect | He asked me to help his. |
